Connect with TRB

ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS, ROADS, STREETS

ARKANSAS STATEWIDE PLANNING STUDIES WERE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE, FOR BOTH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THE EXTENT AND COST OF ADEQUATE HIGHWAYS, ROADS, AND STREETS FOR THE NEXT TWO DECADES, THE FISCAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO MEET THESE NEEDS, AND PROPOSED METHODS OF FINANCING THEM. A SPECIFIC SYSTEM PLAN IS RECOMMENDED FOR ESTABLISHMENT BY THE LEGISLATURE WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE A STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND REQUIRE THE PLAN TO BE INSTITUTED WITHIN TWO YEARS. THIS PLAN SHOULD GIVE THE HIGHWAY COMMISSION FULL AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER ROUTES TO COUNTIES AND CITIES, AS WELL AS ADD ROUTES TO THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM. STATE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS SHOULD BE PROGRAMMED ON A RATIONAL AND FACTUAL BASIS, INCLUDING PUBLISHED BUDGET ALLOCATION POLICIES WHICH PROVIDE FOR ACCELERATED PROGRAMS ON THE MORE IMPORTANT HIGHWAY CLASSES WHILE MEETING MOST CRITICAL NEEDS ON ANY CLASS. ALSO INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM PLAN IS LEGISLATION REQUIRING CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTY ROADS AND CITY STREETS INTO FUNCTIONAL CLASSES, BY THE COUNTIES AND CITIES WITH AID AND APPROVAL OF THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION. LEGAL PROCEDURES SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR ESTABLISHMENT AND ABANDONMENT OF COUNTY ROADS. THE RECOMMENDED RURAL AND URBAN STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM SERVES ALL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIC AREAS ON A CONSISTENT AND EQUITABLE BASIS AND CARRIES 74 PERCENT OF ALL TRAFFIC. IT SHOULD BE FIRMLY FIXED BY LAW AND POLICY, WITH LITTLE CHANGE EXCEPT TO MEET UNFORESEEN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OR NEW ROUTE LOCATIONS.